DESIGNING ADVANCED SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEMS FOR AND THROUGH THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE PERSON: THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE QUALIT ESPRIT PROJECT

摘要

Most of the discussion of the 70s and 80s was concentrated on the social effects of automation, i.e., of new technologies. The conclusion of that discussion was that information technology has little deterministic effects on Quality of Working Life (QWL) for the good or for the bad. In many cases, positive or negative effects on QWL depend on the combination with other dimensions of the socio-technical system (organization, people, processes, management rules, etc.). The Qualit project introduces two complementary key concepts. The first is the design of network organization as a structure which encompasses structural flexibility of joint design both as a radical rethinking of the organization and as continuous improvement. The second concept is the empowerment of the person. It goes beyond the previous defensive models (finding out only rules and policies protecting the integrity of people). First of all, it implies that each individual should not only be protected, but should become enabled (i.e., get the power) to actively defend and develop his or her integrity and the quality of life through various ways. It also implies that the person should hopefully have control on working processes, instead of being controlled by the organization and the technology. The Change Management Process Framework (CMPF) is a general methodology for re-engineering or continuos improvement of the socio-technical system when quality of working life and empowerment are also objectives of the change. The CMPF is also the specification for the software tools developed in the Esprit Project 8162 Qualit, for helping consultants, managers, workers representatives in design and continuous improvement of socio-technical systems.